Relational Knowledge
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
“The knowledge of God is personal and relational, not academic. God cannot be studied like a lab rat under a microscope, nor is theology a philosophical system, a simple matter of ideas. Those statements which we describe as “dogma” are, to quote Fr. Georges Florovsky, “verbal icons.” All of these things exist as God-given gifts that enable us to enter into union with Christ, in body, mind, and soul. It is a marriage between the self and God.” (Father Stephen Freeman)
“Spiritual knowledge is not objective in the sense that an external perceiver can discern it. Objective perception does not require faith but only observation. But knowing by faith “enters” into the reality of the spiritual world. This “entrance” into the truth means that there is a likeness between what is known and the one who knows it…philosophers have noted, “The knower participates in the known.” According to this principle, the knowledge of holy things requires that we share in a relationship with them. Accordingly, we come into the knowledge of the truth by and through our participation in the life of the Church and the relationships of its fellowship.” (Fr. Basil)
“The Church is not a repository of ideas, not a museum of traditions, and especially not a national project or a nation’s cultural memory. Even an atheist and godless person can agree that the Gospel is a remarkable moral compass, and Christ is an ingenious teacher of morality. But a person becomes a believer only when he receives Christ as a living Person and begins to build a personal relationship with Him. A believer is someone for whom Christ is always “here and now.” If we react to everything that is going on emotionally and not prayerfully, it means that Christ does not live in our souls.” (Metropolitan Luke Kovalenko)
“…it was entirely right for Eve to want to be godlike—that was God’s plan all along. What was wrong was wanting this apart from God, and on her own terms and timetable. What was wrong was imagining that judging by appearances with her reason would be a better way to reach the Truth, and that this would be characteristic of the highest, best possible state for a person to be in, rather than being in a loving relationship of communion with God and trusting Him—even if on the surface that approach did not look so promising.” (Dr. Mary S. Ford)
“…we must remember that the aim of our study is not simply to acquire facts from or about the Holy Fathers but to acquire their mindset. Through their writings we sharpen our theological dexterity and expand our spiritual horizons. Most importantly, we deepen our relationship with God as we meet Him vicariously through the saints’ personal experiences. For this reason, we must take seriously the tools the Church offers us if we hope to understand the Fathers. In our ascetical practice—prayer, fasting, and charity—we clear away the weeds from our heart to permit the work of the Holy Spirit to grow. And by participating in communal worship and receiving the Sacraments (particularly the Eucharist) we permit Christ to take root in our souls so that we may bear fruit.” (Fr. Joseph Lucas)
Comments